Third victory in a row for the Nets in a derby that kept its promises with individual exploits, and a suspense that kept the entire Barclays Center in suspense. On arrival, Brooklyn won 110-107 with 53 points from Kevin Durant, his season record. A Durant who had struck straight away.
He is in “clinic” mode and the Nets start with an 11-0! It was Evan Fournier who woke up his teammates, supported by Robinson. The Durant show continues (20-10) but Fournier is in for a great night. 10 points in eight minutes for the French, and the Knicks pick up the score (28-24). The Knicks’ rotation is richer, and Sims and Quickley’s enthusiasm feels good. Conversely, the Nets rely too much on Durant (35-30).
The impact of the Knicks’ replacements is confirmed, and they go ahead thanks to Toppin’s baseline (38-37). At the baton of the Nets, Goran Dragic is next to his basketball, it is the turn of the Nets to run after the score. On the one hand, there is Durant-dependence, on the other, there is more variety with an effective Mitchell Robinson on the offensive rebound, but also on the counter to cover Durant. The Knicks have more assets on offense, but they forget Drummond under their circle, and he punishes them twice. Even if Durant has lost his luster, he allows the Nets to join the locker room with a two-point lead (62-60).
As in the first quarter, Durant and Fournier engage in a duel from a distance after returning from the locker room. The Frenchman is hot, but Durant is even more so, and he is already very close to 40 points. To help him, Bruce Brown, whose power and opportunism can give the Nets a 7-point lead (82-75). And when he planted his 40th point, it was to give a 9-point lead (88-79) with an “in your face” on Fournier who was having fun.
It’s the Nets bench, with Obi Toppin effective at 3-pointers who brings the Knicks back into the game (90-89). As in the first half, the slightest period of rest from Kevin Durant is fatal to the Nets. Steve Nash has no other solution but to put his leader back, and KD resumes his show. But Evan Fournier, somewhat forgotten by Tom Thibodeau, also returns, and he revives the Knicks who equalize (101-101). We then enter the “money time”, and it is Durant who will have the last word.
He planted a 3-pointer on an attack that seemed to be off to a bad start, then he did not shake at free throws. On the Knicks side, there is a match point nine seconds from the end, but Fournier loses the ball on the throw-in trying to find Mitchell Robinson. Durant can smile and Irving applaud, the derby is for Brooklyn (110-107).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Kyrie Irving spectator. At the end of the first half, Kyrie Irving crossed the stands to come and sit in the front row. Places that are assigned to him year-round and that they usually reserve for relatives.
– The “During dependency”. No Kyrie Irving on the field, nor Seth Curry, and Kevin Durant held his team at arm’s length. It was almost cartoonish with teammates looking for him even when they had an open shot. Result: Steve Nash made him play 43 minutes, and that’s obviously way too much.
– Time-outs. Tom Thibodeau burned his time-outs too early in the last quarter, and he had none left in this ultra-tight end to the game, and his players did not have the opportunity to organize themselves on the last possession . Consequently, RJ Barrett swings a long pass which does not touch any teammate.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kevin Durant. What more can be said ? There is bound to be waste when 95% of the attacks start with him, but he plants 53 points, and each point is important in terms of the scenario of the match. The Knicks shoved him around, they doubled up, but he held on and his stamina is commendable when you see his late game.
✅ Bruce Brown. What a warrior! His aggressiveness is remarkable in defense, and his opportunism is precious in attack. He’s always there at the right time, and there’s ultimately little waste in his game.
✅ Andre Drummond. Almost perfect match for the former Sixers pivot with 18 points at 100% and 10 rebounds. A true warrior who allowed Kevin Durant to breathe a little.
✅ Evan Fournier. With the exception of this last missed pass, or rather deflected pass, the Frenchman has little to reproach himself for. He has long played eye to eye with Kevin Durant. It is he who wakes up his team at the start of the match, and it is who revives them at the end of the match.
⛔ Goran Dragic and Patty Mills. The Slovenian lost balls, sent airballs, and he had no influence on the game of his team. As for Patty Mills, he made a hole despite open positions. Luckily Kevin Durant was there…
THE FOLLOWING
New York (28-40): Wednesday reception from Portland.
Brooklyn (35-33): traveling to Orlando on Tuesday, and Irving will be in the field.
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